Round-up: Kentucky delegates react to Clinton’s DNC speech

DENVER – In the aftermath of U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton’s “unity” speech last night at the Democratic National Convention, Kentucky’s delegates were effusive in their praise for Clinton’s remarks while some previously outspoken advocates of her campaign sounded ready to jump into the camp of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama (D-Ill.).

“She preached party unity,” said Kentucky Clinton Delegation Whip Harold Robinson of Frankfort. “It was something that needed to be done.”

Micah Spicer, a Clinton delegate from Wingo, said the New York lawmaker’s speech hit the right buttons, noting he would ultimately get behind Obama’s candidacy.

“I thought she did an excellent job. She talked to the crowd she needed to talk to and made it clear she was supporting Obama,” said Spicer. “After the roll call, after all is said and done, we’re going to get behind Obama.”

Many Kentucky Democrats referenced one specific line of Clinton’s speech as the most significant, including Attorney General Jack Conway (D-Louisville).

“The turning point of the speech -- and maybe the turning point of this convention -- was when she looked at her supporters and said ‘were you just in this for me?’ And then she started talking about the things they believed in and how they have a shared commitment with the Obama campaign,” said Conway. “I think the convention really turned around last night.”

During the Democratic primary race in Kentucky, many who are now in Denver with the delegation were vocal supporters of either Clinton or Obama. Terry McBrayer, a former state party chairman who endorsed Clinton as a superdelegate, memorably attacked Obama from the stage at a May fundraiser for Kentucky Democrats, as he introduced the New York Senator.

Now in Denver as a superdelegate, McBrayer took the podium at this morning’s delegation breakfast and sounded a different tone about his support of Clinton.

“That’s over. I’m for her in 8 years,” said McBrayer. “She’s not my candidate. The senator is my candidate.”